Faculty of Veterinary Science
Department of Production Animal Studies
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
A disease previously unknown in South Africa, namely Staphylococcal dermatitis of sheep has been investigated and confirmed . This disease has been described in Britain but to date not in other countries. The outbreak occurred in a flock of Merino sheep, affecting nearly 40% of the flock, mainly adults. Lesions were mostly on the face between lips and nostrils, and most were under 10mm in diameter. Nearly two-thirds of lesions were on the right side. Lesions healed quickly with treatment but some sheep were permanently disfigured.
Contact person: Prof GF Bath.
The effects of two forms of commercial supplementary protein on the performance data and economic returns of Merino ewes and their lambs in the Mapumalanga highveld were studied over one season. Findings revealed that, although supplementation with both rumen degradable and rumen undegradable protein improved many production parameters, the costs outweighed the benefits. Effects of supplementation on resilience and resistance to internal parasites were negligible. It was therefore concluded that there could be no blanket recommendation on supplementation and that individual circumstances would have to be weighed up before advice could be given.
Contact person: Dr A Janse van Rensburg.
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